By Glenroy Sinclair/Claude Mills, Staff Reporters
Police maintain a strong presence in the Crooks Street area of Jones Town, south St. Andrew, yesterday. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR housing project earmarked for construction in the People's National Party (PNP) stronghold of Arnett Gardens, south St. Andrew, is reportedly at the centre of a bloody power struggle between rival gangs in that community.
High-ranking lieutenants of gangs that control key swaths of territory in the area confided that powerful underworld figures in the 'Bi-bow Posse' have abandoned the gang and are now feuding with the original leadership.
Other gangs in the area, which feel wronged by the Bi-bow Posse, have combined forces, and are now siding with these powerful figures, especially in light of the substantial spoils which will be involved when the construction gets under way.
Reports are that construction of the 252 two and three-bedroom units is scheduled to begin later this month, in the first phase of the Government's $5 billion inner-city housing project. However, sporadic shootings over the past month have claimed the lives of at least two persons and several others have been injured. Head of the Kingston West Division, Superintendent Gary Griffiths, said tension has been mounting in the area.
This view was shared by Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas, who told The Gleaner yesterday that the police are fully aware of the conflicts.
"We have had several meetings with some of the key players, and we have also had to impose a curfew in the troubled areas and conducted several raids," DCP Thomas said yesterday.
Further allegations are that prominent businessman, George Phang, and his relatives have been threatened and told to stay away from the community or else be killed. Last year March, Mr. Phang was attacked by gunmen in the community, who shot him several times.
Yesterday, when a Gleaner news team visited the community, activities seemed to have returned to a degree of normality as people milled around on Collie Smith Drive, and a few taxis plied routes within the community. However, graffiti on a wall on Ninth Street declared 'No George, no Omar', suggesting that supporters of the prominent businessman were peeved at the Member of Parliament Dr. Omar Davies' perceived reluctance to fully support the businessman in the ongoing friction.
Last Friday, Dr. Davies attended a stormy meeting in a gesture to settle the dispute between the rival factions. The meeting ended on a sour note.
TIRED OF WAR
"Right now, 'Butty' has been elected as site manager over the construction site, and that just feeds into the friction. A number of things are brewing. The people dem no waan George, dem no want no more war, dem tired of it," one area leader said.
Sections of Jones Town continue to support the Bi-bow Posse, while pockets of areas in Arnett Gardens remain loyal to the old guard.
"I wish there could be a peaceful resolution, but I am on the ground, and from intelligence, these guys are winning more support from the community, and these former foot soldiers of the Bi-bow Posse are vicious people, and if it continues, the community will suffer. It is easier if he (Phang) goes peacefully," the area leader said.
